The family of Zambia’s late former President Edgar Lungu has called for the return of his body, insisting that it be handed over to their chosen private mortuary service amid an escalating dispute with the state over funeral arrangements.

The request comes just a day after the Zambian government announced that it was in possession of Lungu’s mortal remains, a development that has added tension to an already sensitive and highly publicised matter.

While official details surrounding the handling and location of the former president’s body remain limited, the government’s statement confirmed that it had taken custody of the remains. This announcement prompted an immediate response from the Lungu family, who say they were not adequately consulted regarding key decisions following his passing.

The family has maintained that they should have full authority over the funeral arrangements, including where the body is kept and how it is prepared for burial. They have now demanded that the remains be transferred to a private mortuary of their choice, arguing that this is in line with their wishes and cultural practices.

The disagreement has exposed growing tensions between the former president’s relatives and state authorities over protocol, ownership of remains, and the role of government in managing the funerals of former heads of state. Such disputes, while rare, are not unprecedented in the region, where state funerals often involve both public and private family considerations.

Government officials have not yet provided detailed responses to the family’s latest demand, but earlier statements suggested that national procedures were being followed in accordance with protocol for former presidents. These procedures typically involve state oversight of funeral arrangements, including security, public ceremonies, and official burial plans.

The situation has sparked widespread public interest in Zambia, with many citizens following developments closely as questions arise over how the final arrangements will be handled. Former President Lungu, who served as Zambia’s head of state from 2015 to 2021, remains a significant political figure, and his passing has triggered national reflection as well as political debate.

Legal and governance experts in Zambia have noted that disputes of this nature often require careful negotiation to balance family rights with state obligations. The handling of a former head of state’s remains is typically guided by both legal frameworks and established national protocol, but cultural and family expectations can also play a central role.

As the standoff continues, attention is now focused on whether a compromise can be reached between the Lungu family and the government to ensure a dignified and coordinated funeral process. For now, uncertainty remains over where the former president’s body will be held and how final arrangements will proceed, as both sides maintain their positions.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced that South Africa will provide R30 million in humanitarian assistance to Lesotho, aimed at strengthening the country’s response to HIV and tuberculosis at a time when international aid levels continue to decline globally.

The announcement was made during a high-profile visit to Lesotho on Wednesday, where Ramaphosa joined King Letsie III and Lesotho’s Prime Minister for the official opening of the Senqu Bridge, a key infrastructure project linked to the broader Lesotho Highlands Water Project.

The humanitarian support package is expected to help Lesotho maintain critical public health programmes, particularly in communities heavily affected by HIV and TB. Health officials have long identified the mountain kingdom as one of the countries with high burdens of both diseases, placing sustained pressure on its healthcare system.

Ramaphosa said the assistance reflects South Africa’s ongoing commitment to regional solidarity and cooperation, particularly in the face of shrinking donor funding from international partners. Many countries in southern Africa have faced funding gaps in recent years as global aid priorities shift, leaving governments to shoulder more of the responsibility for essential healthcare programmes.

The visit also highlighted the strategic importance of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project, one of the largest cross-border infrastructure developments in Africa. The newly inaugurated Senqu Bridge forms part of Phase Two of the project, which is designed to enhance water transfer capacity from Lesotho’s highlands into South Africa.

The Lesotho Highlands Water Project plays a crucial role in supplying water to major economic hubs in South Africa, particularly Gauteng, where demand continues to grow due to population expansion and industrial activity. The system channels water from Lesotho’s mountainous catchments through a network of dams, tunnels and reservoirs before it reaches South African water systems.

Officials say the expansion under Phase Two will improve long-term water security while also generating revenue for Lesotho through water royalties. The project has been described as mutually beneficial, strengthening economic ties between the two countries while addressing South Africa’s increasing water demand.

King Letsie III and the Lesotho government have consistently emphasised the importance of the project not only as an engineering achievement but also as a symbol of regional cooperation. The latest infrastructure milestone, including the Senqu Bridge, is expected to improve access and efficiency in managing the water transfer system.

Beyond infrastructure, the joint engagement between the two countries also focused on broader development challenges, including health, economic growth, and climate resilience. Lesotho remains highly vulnerable to climate variability, particularly droughts and changing rainfall patterns, which directly affect both water availability and agricultural productivity.

For South Africa, securing reliable water supply routes from Lesotho remains a strategic priority, especially as demand in urban and industrial regions continues to rise. The continued development of the water project is expected to play a key role in supporting long-term planning for water security.

The R30 million humanitarian assistance package, while relatively modest in scale, is seen as a targeted intervention aimed at sustaining critical healthcare services in Lesotho during a period of funding uncertainty. It also reinforces the long-standing diplomatic and economic relationship between the two neighbouring countries.

As both nations continue to deepen cooperation through shared infrastructure and development initiatives, the Senqu Bridge and the wider water project stand as central pillars of regional integration, linking public health support with long-term resource management and economic collaboration.

Pope Francis has died at the age of 88, the Vatican announced, bringing to a close a 12-year papacy that left a lasting mark on the Catholic Church and the world. Elected in March 2013 following the historic resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, Francis was widely regarded as a reformer with a deep commitment to humility, compassion, and social justice.

He had recently been released from Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, where he had been admitted on February 14 due to breathing difficulties. Doctors later confirmed he was suffering from a complex respiratory infection and double pneumonia, both of which severely impacted his lungs. Despite his condition, Francis made a public appearance on Easter Sunday in St. Peter’s Square and met U.S. Vice President JD Vance the day before his death.

Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the man who would become Pope Francis, was born on December 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, to Italian immigrant parents. Before entering the priesthood, he studied chemistry and led a vibrant youth, enjoying dancing, dating, and even working as a nightclub bouncer. In a 2010 biography, he spoke fondly of his love for tango, which he used to dance with friends before feeling a religious calling.

He joined the Society of Jesus and was appointed head of the Jesuits in Argentina in 1973 at the age of 36. His experience during Argentina’s Dirty War deeply shaped his views, softening his conservatism and guiding him toward a more compassionate approach to leadership. He became Archbishop of Buenos Aires in 1998 and was made a cardinal by Pope John Paul II in 2001.

During the 2005 conclave to replace John Paul II, Bergoglio was seen as a serious candidate, reportedly receiving dozens of votes before Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was elected as Benedict XVI. When Benedict stepped down in 2013, Bergoglio was chosen to succeed him, becoming the first Jesuit pope, the first from the Americas, and the first non-European pontiff in over a millennium.

Upon his election, he took the name Francis, inspired by Saint Francis of Assisi. He said the name came to him after Cardinal Claudio Hummes embraced him and whispered, “Don’t forget the poor,” a message that would shape his papacy.

From the beginning, Francis was known for his humility and simplicity. He rejected the grand papal apartments, choosing to live in the modest Casa Santa Marta guesthouse. He wore plain black shoes instead of the traditional red ones and often referred to himself simply as the Bishop of Rome. He also famously returned to the Church-run residence where he stayed during the conclave to pay his bill in person.

Francis quickly gained attention for his progressive tone, particularly on LGBTQ+ issues. Just months after becoming pope, he made headlines when asked about gay priests, responding, “If someone is gay and he searches for the Lord and has good will, who am I to judge?” It was the first time a pope had used the word “gay” in reference to sexuality. He later condemned the criminalization of homosexuality and emphasized that LGBTQ+ individuals are “children of God” who should be welcomed by the Church.

His leadership inspired both admiration and controversy. According to Dr. Gregory Ryan from the Centre for Catholic Studies at Durham University, Francis shifted Church dynamics in a way few popes had before. Unlike earlier leaders, whose critics were often theologians or academics, Francis faced growing dissent from within the Church hierarchy itself—including bishops.

As the Church prepares for the traditional rituals of mourning and the election of a new pope, Pope Francis leaves behind a legacy defined by humility, boldness, and a deep concern for the world’s most vulnerable.